Two arrests after £360,000 of cocaine seized at Gatwick Airport

James Oxenham

Two men have been arrested after three kilos of cocaine was seized at Gatwick Airport.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the drugs were discovered in an air freight after arriving into the UK from Jamaica.

They were found in thin packages concealed in the struts of a container and were due to be moved to a bonded freight agent in Hounslow, West London.

Officers said they carried out a raid on a freight warehouse near Heathrow Airport on Tuesday February 21.

The NCA said a 45-year-old man, from Hayes, and a 32-year-old man, from Southall, were arrested on suspicion of importing cocaine.

The pair were questioned and were released on bail pending further enquiries.

Darren Barr, from NCA Border Investigations, said: “These arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into the importation of controlled drugs into the UK. That will continue with the evidence we have found during this phase of the operation.

“The cocaine seized here would likely have had a wholesale value to organised crime of around £100,000, but if cut and sold on the streets a potential value of more than £360,000, so that is profit that has been taken away from criminality.

“Working with law enforcement partners like Border Force we are determined to stop those who would seek to circumvent border controls for criminal purposes.”

Sue Young, Director of Border Force South, said: “In making this seizure, Border Force officers at Gatwick have taken dangerous Class A drugs out of circulation.

“Our officers are on the front-line of the fight to stop drugs, weapons, contraband and illegal immigrants entering the UK. Using detection dogs and the very latest technology, they are on constant alert to protect the country.”

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